10 Great Reasons To Travel
Traveling is an important of my life – both personally because I love to do it, and professionally because my business is helping others record their travel memories.
Several weeks ago I read an interesting blog post written by Jeff Goins about his trip to Africa that got my mental wheels turning about why I travel. Jeff writes that one of the reasons he travels is:
I travel not just to have an adventure but to gain perspective — to remember that the world is bigger than my blog and that I am still a work in progress.
Here’s what I came up with – I’d love to hear your thoughts on why you travel.
My family lives all over the world: my parents, one brother, cousins, great aunts and uncles are in the UK; another brother, my sister-in-law, niece and nephew live in Sweden; I have an aunt, uncle and cousin in New Zealand, plus second cousins across Canada and California.
For this reason alone, travel is an important part of my life. But it isn’t the only one, in fact, when I really thought about it, I came up with a list and some examples:
- To connect and strengthen relationships with family and friends who live far away:
30+ members of our family came together last summer for a reunion in California – it was so much fun!
- To celebrate a special occasion, such as a wedding or birthday:
It’s my birthday this weekend and we’d went to Brunswick, Maine for a few days this week to celebrate.
- To share childhood memories with my daughter:
We try to go back home to the UK each summer and it’s very meaningful to show my daughter the places I visited and lived when I was growing up.
- To relax and disconnect from my daily routine:
I have to admit that when we go somewhere with no cell service, I’m delighted. Even a day or two without being connected to work emails and social media is refreshing.
- To be in nature and experience the natural world:
We took a family trip to Maine last summer and spent time hiking in Acadia National Park – it was spectacular!
- To learn:
This can be a long trip – I spent a year in Germany studying the language and culture when I was in college. Or it can be a shorter trip, like the conference I just attended in Portland, OR.
- To eat good food:
I’m from a family that lives to eat – my dad and brother are chefs, and now our family vacations are often centered around food. Wherever we go, we seek out good eating experiences. My daughter and I spent the weekend in Belfast, ME last fall on a farm tour tasting the fabulous local food and produce.
- To attend Arts Events:
We live in a pretty rural area of New England, so if we want to see a play, attend a concert or a gallery show, this often means we have to travel to Boston or New York City. In June, we’re taking my daughter to see her first Shakespeare play in NYC – she’s super excited.
- To strengthen my relationship with my spouse:
Like most families, we lead busy lives with work, school, volunteer commitments and hobbies, so taking some time connect with my husband is important. We try to get away a couple of times a year together for a weekend. Last month we headed into Boston for a quick break – it was fun!
- For personal time and reflection:
Spending time with my family is super important, but so is taking some time away by myself. Whenever I get the opportunity to travel alone (which isn’t often), then I take it. It makes me a better mom, wife, friend, business owner, daughter etc when I get home.
How about you – what kind of places do you visit and why? I’d love to read your comments.
